An important visit took place at the Kawene Renewable Energy Farm on Efate as part of day two of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) Ministerial Dialogue on Global Just Transition.

The visit focused on the Pacific’s shift away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.

Despite heavy rain, Pacific leaders, government officials, high commissioners, and ambassadors in Vanuatu, PSIDS delegates, and UNELCO representatives toured the facility to observe progress in renewable energy development that supplies power to most of Efate’s population.

The Kawene Renewable Energy Farm is being recognized as a major example of Vanuatu’s transition towards clean energy and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The General Manger to UNELCO, Frederic Petit, says renewable energy use on this facility has increased from 12  to 21 percent since 2013, with plans already in place to further expand the project.

“Since 2006, 12% of the energy on this island are being generated from renewable energy. And during four years, 2013 until 2016 it was 21%,” he said.

He said it was a mix of wind, solar and coconut, lifting a dried coconut in his right hand as he addressed the delegation.

“This is part of the solution and I’m happy it will be part of the solution in the near future,” Petit said.

According to him, the Kawene farm remains the largest in Vanuatu, representing an investment of 300 million vatu, financed by the concessionaire without any loans or grants.

“It regenerates 4 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is an additional 6% to the current renewable energy generation.

Prime Minister Jotham Napat says Vanuatu remains committed to ensuring more islands gain access to clean energy despite ongoing global fuel challenges. He added that discussions on the global just transition are not just talk, but something already being implemented on the ground.

He made the remarks during the opening of a new solar project, saying it represents practical climate action.

“We are gathered here today not just to talk about transition but to witness it in action. We are not simply opening a solar farm, we are demonstrating what a just transition looks like on the ground,” said Napat.

He said the 3-megawatt solar PV farm will increase renewable energy capacity from around 10 percent to 16 percent.

“Yes, it is a small step in numbers, but it is a powerful step in direction because it represents something far greater than megawatts,” he said.

Napat described the project as a symbol of commitment and leadership, noting that communities in Port Vila are already contributing to the energy transition through their participation and support.

He highlighted that hydro development in Santo will soon push renewable energy above 90 percent, while Malekula has already reduced diesel reliance through hydro, and the transition is now taking shape in Tanna and Efate.

The Prime Minister says the addition of battery storage on Efate will help build a more resilient and reliable energy system that protects people from global energy shocks.

The Kawene Renewable Energy Farm began operating in 1982, shortly after Vanuatu’s independence, and has provided over 40 years of electricity generation on Efate under a concession agreement with the Government of Vanuatu, without loans or grants.

Since 2013, the increased use of renewable energy has contributed to powering Port Vila and Efate, serving as a demonstration of Vanuatu’s commitment to a just global energy transition, with plans in place to expand solar capacity and add more battery storage systems.

New Zealand and France to donate additional battery storage system to Kawene Farm

The visit also marks the achievement of a newly funded renewable energy project supported by the governments of New Zealand and France.

Announced by General Manager Petit, the project will finance additional battery storage to strengthen energy stability and support the expansion of solar power generation.

“The recent programme funded by MFAT New Zealand and AFD France will deliver a doubling of what we are currently seeing in solar, along with battery storage for stability and storage,” Petit said.

He added that the achievement being celebrated is not the end point of renewable energy development on Efate Island.

As he addressed the delegation, Prime Minister Jotham Napat said the battery storage system will strengthen a more resilient and reliable energy system.

“One that protects our people from global shocks,” said Napat.

He said the project reflects what a just transition looks like in the Pacific.

“It is not about waiting for perfect conditions. It is about acting with what we have and building momentum step by step,” he said.

“Let this project stand as a reminder that the transition we seek is already underway. The question is not whether it can be done, but whether we can move faster and together.”

Napat added that Vanuatu is actively driving its energy transition.

“Vanuatu is not waiting. We are building our future now. And we invite our partners, our neighbours and fellow Pacific leaders to talk with us, act with us, and move faster with us,” he said.

He also highlighted national progress in renewable energy, noting that hydro development in Santo is expected to push renewable energy above 90 percent, while Malekula has already reduced diesel reliance through hydro projects. Similar transitions are now underway in Tanna and Efate.